Spring structure for use in bed mattresses, pillows, and cushions



Sept. 10, 1940. H. HICKMANI SPRING STRUCTURE FOR USE IN BED MATTHESSES, PILLOWS, AND CUSHIONS Filed Nov. 21, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmvrox; BYXW ATTO RNEYS.

Sept. 10, 1940. H KMAN 2,214,135

SPRING STRUCTURE FOR USE IN BED MATTHESSES PILLOWS, AND CUSHIONS- Filed NOV. 21, 1939 v 3 Sheets-Shoat 2 Haya Hick l,

INVENTOR.

. 25 ture;

r 40 Fig. 9 is a section on line 3-3 ofFig. 6;

Patented Sept. 10, 1940 SPRING STRUCTURE FOR USE IN BED w MATTRESSES; PILLOWS, AND CUSHINS Harold Hickman, Dallas, Tex.,assignor to Leggett and Platt'Spring'Bed pany, Carthage, M0.

ApplicationNovember 21,

6 Claims. (01. -348) Myinvention relates to improvements in spring structures for use in bed mattresses, pillows and cushions.

One object of my invention is to provide a 5 spring structure possessing improved qualities for supporting the padding of the mattresses, pillows and cushions. Another object of my invention is to provide a-spring structure which can be manufactured without the use ofexpens ive special machinery.-

A further object of my invention is to provide a novel spring structure that is simple, durable, and not likely to get out of order.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a novel spring structure possessing superior supporting qualities without the use of more than the ordinary or usual amount-of wire that is required to construct a common spring structure of similar size. Other objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of my invention has been shown.

: Figure 1 is a plan view of my novel spring struc- Fig. 2' is a "section on line 1 1 of Fig.1, with sidepadding addedn Fig. 3 is a side elevationof an ordinary spiral spring generally used in spring structures known as a double cone spiral spring or as an hour' glass spiral spring; 1

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the spiral spring shown in Fig. 3, under compression;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a spiral spring of my 5 novel-spring structure under compression;

Fig. 6 isa planview of a spring structure possessing several difierent forms of my invention;

Fig. '7 is a section on line 22 or 44 of Fig.6;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 isa section on line 5-5 of Fig. '6; Fig 11 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig.6;

Fig. 12 is aside elevation of a modified form of the invention in which the diameter .of the and Manufacturing Com- 1939, Serial No. 305,516

Fig. 4 illustrates the failure of this hour type of spiral to serve as a satisfactory spring for various cushions. Fig. 3 shows' the hour glass spiral 26 with opposite portions of its end convolutions encircled by the helical springs 9, 10,. II, and I2, 5 and with the lower convolution supported by the slats 30 and 3|. Fig. 4 illustrates the same combination of hour glass spiral spring 26, helical springs 9'; H], II, and I2; and the slats 30 and 3|, as shown in Fig. 3, with the padding 28-placed 10 upon the upper end convolution of the hour glass spiral spring 26 and a load applied to compress the 1 hour glass spiral spring as shown.

- also be observed that when the hourglass spiral spring is under compression, the first active con- 20 I volution at each end of the spring protrudes through the inactive end convolutions. This protrusion of the smaller diameter convolutions concentrates the force of the strong central portion of the hour glass spiral spring upon a small area 25 of the padding as at point 54 and frequently damages the padding.

.It will also be observed thatwith springs of this type it is necessary to support padding 6| along the edges of the cushion or mattress, as at 8 -8 in Fig. 3, and as shown in'Fig. 2 where the border spiral spring 20 supports the padding 6|. Considerable extra padding must be used along'the edges of a cushion or mattress made of the hour glass spiral springs since'the whole space between a line near the outermost points of the end convolutions and the inwardly curving center portion of the hour glass spiral springs must'be filled. This extra padding is objectionable both because of its cost and for the. reason 40 that it is compressed and pinched between the end convolutions of thehour glass spiral springs whenever the latter is compressed. This pinching action will be readily understood by noting the relatively large space between the convolutions 55, 56, and 57 of spring '26 and the dotted line 81- 8 in Fig. 3, which space must be filled with padding. Compare the said'large space with the very restricted space between like limiting portions of the .same but partially compresed hour glass spiral spring 26 of'Fig'. 4. Padding so pinched between the horizontal connecting helical springs 9 and ll of Fig, 4 will prevent a proper.

complete'compression of the supporting spring 26.

My novel spring structure shown in Figs. 1

difilculties described. It consists of one or more parallel rows of vertically disposed spiral springs with the end convolutions of the spiral springs connected together by horizontal connecting means which embrace a portion of two or more convolutions of each of the vertically disposed spiral springs; The shape of the spiral springs used in my novel spring structure may be best understood by referring to the plan view of spiral spring 20 of Fig. 1, and also to the elevation view of the same spiral's'pring 20 of Fig. 2. The respective ,end convolutions of my novel spring are relatively large in order to properly support a generous area of thepadding. The next adjacent convolutions are smaller than the top and bottom convolutions but are also of relatively large size, while succeeding convolutions 20 are of smaller but like size. Instead of spiraling around the axis of the spring, all the convolutions spiral in such a manner as to bring a portion of their outer edges in the same vertical plane with a portion of convolution 58 adjacent to or into contact with a portion of the corresponding end convolution of the vertical spiral spring. The means used to connect the end convolutions of the spiral springs also embraces the adjacent portion of the next adjacent intermediate convolution to give the spring structure additional strength. The vertical spiral, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5 are each connected by the small diameter horizontal connecting helical springs I and 2 embracing a portion oi the end convolution and a portion of the adjacent next smaller intermediate convolution 58 of spring 20.

The intermediate convolutions 20' of the spiral spring 20 are approximately tangent to a plane through the axis of the helical springs I and 2 and therefore properly support the edge padding 6| and also prevent the padding from sagging inwardly and being pinched between the horizontal connecting helical springs I and 2.

In Fig. 5 one of my novel coilsprings 20 is, shown as it appears when compressed. Due to the fact that the force of the strong smaller intermediate convolutions ,20 or the spiral spring is exerted against the end convolutions within the smaller diameter connecting horizontal helical springs I and 2, there is no tendency for a portion of the now inactive intermediate convolution 58 to protrude through the outer or end convolutions. As shown in Fig. 2, the intermediate convolutions 58, 59 and adjacent the end convolutions rest in a position in approximately the same plane as the end convolutions. The intermediate convolutions 58 and 20 of my spring structure provide desirable additional support for the padding 28.

Fig. 1 shows spiral springs I I, I8, I9, 20, 2|, 22, 23, 24, and 25 arranged in three rows with the end convolutionsof the spiral springs in each row in closely spaced relation. Portions of the adjacent end convolutions are embraced by the connecting helical springs I, 2, 3, and 4, which are inserted across the space between the rows of spiral springs; corresponding portions of the next adjacent smaller convolutions of the spiral springs are also'embraced by said springs I, 2, 3, and 4 at such points as the arrangement of the spiral springs permits, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. r

A maximum of strength is usually desired at the sides of a mattress in addition to the proper support for the edge padding; therefore, the

- and 2 and Figs. 5-11 inclusive avoids all of the edges of the spring structure, Fig. 1, bounded by the horizontal helical connecting springs I and 4, would support the side edges of the mattress. Little or no pressure is applied to the head and foot edges of a mattress and so a helical. connecting spring 34 may be used at the head or foot, or dispensed with, as desired. When desired, my improved spring structure may be used to form the edge rows only of an ordinary spring structure.

The spiral springs I8 and 24, as shown in Fig.

1, are of the hour glass type of spiral springs;

and the same, together with my novel spiral spring 2|, are held in proper position by means of the horizontal connecting helical springs 2 and 3.

As shown in Fig. 2, the bottom horizontal 'connecting helical springs 5, 6, I, and 8 connect the lower end convolutions of the spiral springs in a similar manner to the connection of the top convolutions.

The action of my spring structure under compression is illustrated in Fig. 5 which allows a close comparison with the action of the hour glass spiral spring, as shown in Fig. 4.

Various modifications of my invention may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, some of which are shown in Fig. 6. The means employed to embrace the portions of the vertical spiral spring end convolutions together with the portions of the adjacent intermediate reduced diameter convolutions, along the outer edge of the spring structure comprises a bar 43 provided with relatively short ofiset portions 43a and clips 46, 48, and 52, encircling said portions of the vertical spiral springs and said offset portions 43a of the bar.

In a modification of the invention, the hori zontal connecting means, as shown in Fig. 6, comprises the bar 44 which is provided with hook ends 44a, as shown, to prevent endwise movement, and the clips 41, 49, 50, 5|, and 53 which embrace the bar 44 and portions of the spiral springs 35, 36, 38, 39, H, and 42, namely,.the outer convolution of one vertical spiral spring and the outer and next adjacent convolutions .of the adjacent vertical spiral spring, as shown in Figs. 6 and 9. J

In another modification of the invention, the

-connecting means 45 is abar provided with somewhat U-shaped integral ofisets and with the said offsets 45a wrapped around portions of the spiral springs 36, 31, 39, 40, and 42, as shownat the right hand side of Fig. 6-.

Fig. 7 is a section through the clip'46 on line 22 or on line 44 of Fig.'6.

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are sections on the lines 1-1, 3-3, 5-5, 15-1 of Fig. 6, respectively,

showing the relation of the horizontal connecting elements and the upper convolutions of the verticalspiral springs.

Fig. 12 illustrates a modification of the invention in which the coils of the spring are of graduated sizes with the smallest convolution disposed at the central portion, as illustrated, but with the outer edges of all of the convolutions lying in substantially the same vertical plane on one side of the spring.

Fig. 13 illustrates another modification of the invention in which a relatively large coil is disposed at the central portion of the. coil spring, but in which the outer edges of all of the convolutions lie substantially within the same vertical plane on one side of the spring.

What I claim is:

1. In spring structures for use in bed mattresses, pillows and cushions, the combination of vertically disposed spiral springs having top and bottom convolutions of relatively large size, and having the next adjacent convolutions smaller than the top and bottom convolutions but also of relatively large size, and having succeeding convolutions of smaller size, the outer edges of all of the convolutions lying in substantially the same vertical plane on one side of the spring, and a horizontally disposed connecting spring of small, diameter, said spring embracing the outer convolutions and the next adjacent convolutions of the vertically disposed spiral springs.

2. In spring structures for use in bed mattresses, pillows and cushions, the combination of spiral springs having top and bottom convolutions of relatively large size, and having the next adjacent convolution of a smaller size but having one portion of said convolutions disposed in the same vertical plane as the corresponding portion of the top and bottom convolutions, and having intermediate convolutions of like diameter throughout and smaller than the preceding convolutions, the corresponding portions of said intermediate convolutions also being disposed in the same vertical plane as the corresponding portions of the top and bottom convolutions, and horizontally disposed connecting springs of small diameter, said springs embracing the outer convolutions and the next adjacent convolutions of the vertically disposed spiral springs.

3. In spring structures for use in bed mattresses, pillows and cushions, the combination of vertically disposed spiral springs having top and bottom convolutions of relatively large size, and having the next adjacent convolutions smaller than the top and bottom convolutions but also of relatively large size, and having succeeding convolutions of smaller but like size, the outer edges of all of the convolutions lying in substantially the-same vertical plane on one side of the spring, and connecting means extending between the vertical spiral springs and secured to the outer convolutions and the next adjacent convolutions to tie the springs together.

bottom convolutions of relatively large size, and

having the next adjacent convolutions smaller than the top and bottom convolutions but also. of relatively large size, and having succeeding convolutions of smaller but like size, the outer edges of all of the convolutions lying in substantially the same vertical plane on one side of the spring, and connecting means extending between the vertical spiral springs and secured to the outer convolutions and the next adjacent con volutions to tie the springs together, said connecting means including rings engaging said connecting means and the aforesaid convolutions.

5. In spring structures for use in bed mattresses, pillows and cushions, the combination of vertically disposed spiral springs having top and bottom convolutions of relatively large size, and having the next adjacent convolutions smaller than the top and bottom convolutions but also of relatively large size, and having succeeding convolutions of smaller but like size, the outer edges of all of the convolutions lying in substantially the same vertical plane on one side of the spring, and connecting means extending between the vertical spiral springs and secured to the outer convolutions and the next adjacent convolutions to tie the springs together, said means including offset portions formed integrally with the connecting means to engage the aforesaid convolutions.

6. In spring structures for use in bed mattresses, pillows and cushions, the combination of vertically disposed spiral springs having top and bottom convolutions of relatively large size and having succeeding convolutions of graduated smaller size and having the smallest convolution at the central portion of the spring, the outer edges of all of the convolutions lying in the same vertical plane on one side of the spring, and a horizontally disposed connecting spring of small diameter, said spring embracing the outer con-' volutions and the next adjacent convolution of the vertically disposed spiral spring.

, HAROLD HICKMAN. 

